help understanding what I own here? Browning Hi-power,Ring hammer,Thumb print, pics.

jPhoenix · March 3, 2012, 10:16 AM

Hello,

I'm quite familiar with modern production firearms. However, I know little of vintage firearms, especially of the Browning Hi-Power variety.

What I have is a 1958-59 manufacture Browning Hi-Power with the Ring Hammer and thumb Print in the slide in very very good, if not excellent or better condition. No Box, no paperwork.

Though I have done some research, I have not been able to come to any definitive answer as to this pistol's worth. Anyone who knows about such things have any idea?

She shoots like new. She's just been put away nice and oiled for quite some time.

Any help would be appreciated.

PICS:

AKsRul.e · March 3, 2012, 11:16 AM

Here is a discussion I found online.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...5191933AA6pS6C

hope it helps.

g.willikers · March 3, 2012, 11:23 AM

The 2008 Standard Catalog of Firearms says the fixed sight, commercial version of this era HP, with the polished finish, has a value of $400 for good and $550 for excellent conditions.
The accompanying picture in the book looks like yours, but is associated with the pre war values of three times this much.
Whether this is accurate in the real world??
Hope this helps, some.

jglsprings · March 3, 2012, 11:36 AM

BUMP - It's very nice, I'll be watching this thread for more details. Good on ya mate for shooting it once in awhile!

AKsRul.e · March 3, 2012, 03:52 PM

Current price guides are WORTHLESS when you are talking about a
50 yr old gun that looks like new.

It would be Foolish to sell that gun to the first schmuck with $500
in his pocket.

If it's not insured you should get it covered somehow.

Dave Anderson · March 3, 2012, 07:32 PM

My opinion is this represents the best and most desirable of the commercial High Powers. It was made by FN with total commitment to quality of materials, fit, and workmanship with no corners cut, and no wartime pressure.

The Blue Book suggests a 50% premium for the ring hammer and internal extractor, and a further 60% premium for the thumb print. The pistol as shown was in production for just a few years until the internal extractor and thumb print were dropped, about 1962.

I know of a virtually identical High Power (s/n 87XXX) in virtually new condition, in black pouch with gold zipper (actually not correct era for the pistol but still an item in demand by collectors) which sold recently for the seller's asking price of $800, and the buyer could hardly get his money out fast enough.

Billy Shears · March 3, 2012, 08:02 PM

Wow. Stunning. Great pix.

"Made in Belgium" on the slide and it looks as if it left the factory only yesterday. What a treasure. Very nice.

blchandl2 · March 3, 2012, 10:41 PM

That is a fine lookin' HP you have there.

Bill DeShivs · March 4, 2012, 01:32 AM

That gun is in good shape, but it's not "like new."

gyvel · March 4, 2012, 05:29 AM

Quote:

The 2008 Standard Catalog of Firearms says the fixed sight, commercial version of this era HP, with the polished finish, has a value of $400 for good and $550 for excellent conditions.

Those are values from 4 years ago. Hi-Power values have doubled and tripled in some cases.

gyvel · March 4, 2012, 05:33 AM

Quote:

That gun is in good shape, but it's not "like new."

He actually said "SHOOTS like new." He described the physical condition of the gun as "very very good, if not excellent or better," and I agree that it is, at least, a 98% gun.

Your actual value may be close to a grand.

jPhoenix · March 4, 2012, 09:15 AM

There is some very light flecking of discoloration on the top of the slide that hasn't turned to rust or pitting, yet. I tried to get it pictured in that last image of the markings. It's not pitting or rust, just discoloration as of now. I've been keeping a constant layer of CLP on all of the metal parts for a while. Not really sure what to do about it.

iamdb · March 4, 2012, 10:08 AM

You should have no problem at all getting $800 + for that.

shortwave · March 4, 2012, 10:35 AM

LNIB, price $1000

VG to excellent $900-$950...

...pics can be deceiving, but without seeing actual pistol, I'd value the pistol in the $800-$850 range.

jaughtman · March 4, 2012, 02:17 PM

would be around $750 - $800 based on ones in that age range/shape that I see for sell at the LGS's here in Alabama.

J

robmkivseries70 · March 4, 2012, 08:52 PM

I wouldn't shoot it any more until you can find a source for the internal extractor. It's worth more as a collector.
Best,
Rob

jPhoenix · March 5, 2012, 09:24 AM

That's kind of what I'm afraid of. As much as I like this pistol, I'm just not one for having a firearm in my stable that I can't utilize. I do enjoy it. You just don't see this type of old-world fit and finish anymore. Yet, I'm not much for just looking and appreciating from a collector only standpoint. However, I also do not want to devalue the firearm so I probably will not be shooting it anymore. I'll need to make up my mind with what to do with her.

Quote:

I wouldn't shoot it any more until you can find a source for the internal extractor. It's worth more as a collector.
Best,
Rob

g.willikers · March 5, 2012, 10:01 AM

What exactly is the downside of shooting and enjoying it?
Not that much.
Maybe $300 - $400 in value at the most.
And that only if it's shot a lot and shows it, eventually.
Not a big deal, compared with what new guns cost, these days, really.
It isn't like it's a mutli thousand dollar museum piece.
Shoot the danged thing; I sure would.

kokopelli · March 5, 2012, 10:43 AM

That is a very nice, unmolested Belgian HP.
However, to a collector, although it does have value, without the box and papers, having the finish wear that I see and that it has been fired, the value is somewhat diminished.
That gun just needs to be shot. It would make a very good shooter for someone- leave the unfired, boxed up dust collectors in the safe where the owners can leave them when they die.
Value? I think everyone is right about the same price range ~$700-800. I have actually seen similar pieces within the last couple of months go for as little as $600.
Recently, Israel dumped thousands of HP's that were military issue that are being sold as surplus guns as low as $250. I have a friend that is refinishing a shipment of them, and personally have seen a half dozen or so that were almost as nice as yours, and they sold for $450. -That's gonna hurt the value of all the HP's on the market right now.

March 3, 2012, 10:16 AM	#1
jPhoenix Junior Member Join Date: June 3, 2010 Posts: 14	help understanding what I own here? Browning Hi-power,Ring hammer,Thumb print, pics. Hello, I'm quite familiar with modern production firearms. However, I know little of vintage firearms, especially of the Browning Hi-Power variety. What I have is a 1958-59 manufacture Browning Hi-Power with the Ring Hammer and thumb Print in the slide in very very good, if not excellent or better condition. No Box, no paperwork. Though I have done some research, I have not been able to come to any definitive answer as to this pistol's worth. Anyone who knows about such things have any idea? She shoots like new. She's just been put away nice and oiled for quite some time. Any help would be appreciated. PICS:

March 3, 2012, 11:23 AM	#3
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	The 2008 Standard Catalog of Firearms says the fixed sight, commercial version of this era HP, with the polished finish, has a value of $400 for good and $550 for excellent conditions. The accompanying picture in the book looks like yours, but is associated with the pre war values of three times this much. Whether this is accurate in the real world?? Hope this helps, some. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

March 3, 2012, 11:36 AM	#4
jglsprings Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2009 Posts: 1,827	BUMP - It's very nice, I'll be watching this thread for more details. Good on ya mate for shooting it once in awhile! __________________ Let's eat Grandma. Let's eat, Grandma. Commas save lives...

March 3, 2012, 07:32 PM	#6
Dave Anderson Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2011 Posts: 313	My opinion is this represents the best and most desirable of the commercial High Powers. It was made by FN with total commitment to quality of materials, fit, and workmanship with no corners cut, and no wartime pressure. The Blue Book suggests a 50% premium for the ring hammer and internal extractor, and a further 60% premium for the thumb print. The pistol as shown was in production for just a few years until the internal extractor and thumb print were dropped, about 1962. I know of a virtually identical High Power (s/n 87XXX) in virtually new condition, in black pouch with gold zipper (actually not correct era for the pistol but still an item in demand by collectors) which sold recently for the seller's asking price of $800, and the buyer could hardly get his money out fast enough. __________________ http://www.youtube.com/user/DavesGunVideos/videos

March 4, 2012, 01:32 AM	#9
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,981	That gun is in good shape, but it's not "like new." __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

March 3, 2012, 11:16 AM	#2
AKsRul.e Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 234	Here is a discussion I found online. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...5191933AA6pS6C hope it helps.

March 3, 2012, 03:52 PM	#5
AKsRul.e Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 234	Current price guides are WORTHLESS when you are talking about a 50 yr old gun that looks like new. It would be Foolish to sell that gun to the first schmuck with $500 in his pocket. If it's not insured you should get it covered somehow.

March 3, 2012, 08:02 PM	#7
Billy Shears Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2011 Posts: 606	Wow. Stunning. Great pix. "Made in Belgium" on the slide and it looks as if it left the factory only yesterday. What a treasure. Very nice.

March 3, 2012, 10:41 PM	#8
blchandl2 Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2008 Location: TN Posts: 525	That is a fine lookin' HP you have there.

March 4, 2012, 09:15 AM	#12
jPhoenix Junior Member Join Date: June 3, 2010 Posts: 14	There is some very light flecking of discoloration on the top of the slide that hasn't turned to rust or pitting, yet. I tried to get it pictured in that last image of the markings. It's not pitting or rust, just discoloration as of now. I've been keeping a constant layer of CLP on all of the metal parts for a while. Not really sure what to do about it.

March 4, 2012, 10:08 AM	#13
iamdb Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2011 Posts: 455	You should have no problem at all getting $800 + for that. __________________ John 20:29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

March 4, 2012, 10:35 AM	#14
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	LNIB, price $1000 VG to excellent $900-$950... ...pics can be deceiving, but without seeing actual pistol, I'd value the pistol in the $800-$850 range.

March 4, 2012, 02:17 PM	#15
jaughtman Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 868	Price guesstimate..... would be around $750 - $800 based on ones in that age range/shape that I see for sell at the LGS's here in Alabama. J

March 4, 2012, 08:52 PM	#16
robmkivseries70 Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2005 Location: free territory Posts: 203	I wouldn't shoot it any more until you can find a source for the internal extractor. It's worth more as a collector. Best, Rob

March 5, 2012, 10:01 AM	#18
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	What exactly is the downside of shooting and enjoying it? Not that much. Maybe $300 - $400 in value at the most. And that only if it's shot a lot and shows it, eventually. Not a big deal, compared with what new guns cost, these days, really. It isn't like it's a mutli thousand dollar museum piece. Shoot the danged thing; I sure would. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

March 5, 2012, 10:43 AM	#19
kokopelli Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2009 Location: Ky Posts: 202	That is a very nice, unmolested Belgian HP. However, to a collector, although it does have value, without the box and papers, having the finish wear that I see and that it has been fired, the value is somewhat diminished. That gun just needs to be shot. It would make a very good shooter for someone- leave the unfired, boxed up dust collectors in the safe where the owners can leave them when they die. Value? I think everyone is right about the same price range ~$700-800. I have actually seen similar pieces within the last couple of months go for as little as $600. Recently, Israel dumped thousands of HP's that were military issue that are being sold as surplus guns as low as $250. I have a friend that is refinishing a shipment of them, and personally have seen a half dozen or so that were almost as nice as yours, and they sold for $450. -That's gonna hurt the value of all the HP's on the market right now.